Healthy Steps (National Evaluation 1996 Protocol)
This report focuses on Healthy Steps as implemented in the 1996 evaluation. HHS has determined that home visiting is not the primary service delivery strategy and the model does not meet current requirements for MIECHV program implementation.
Model effectiveness research report last updated: 2011
Effects shown in research & outcome measure details
Child development and school readiness
Findings rated high
Show findings details
| Outcome measure | Effect | Follow-up timing | Sample | Sample size | Intervention group | Comparison group | Group difference | Effect size | Statistical significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCDI combines two or more words (sometimes/often versus not yet) | FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect |
30 months | Healthy Steps sample | 219 children | Mean = 0.93 | Mean = 0.89 | OR = 1.05 | HomeVEE calculated = 0.03 | Statistically significant, p < 0.05 |
| MCDI use of two-word endings (three or more versus less than three) | FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect |
30 months | Healthy Steps sample | 219 children | Mean = 0.55 | Mean = 0.55 | OR = 1.09 | HomeVEE calculated = 0.05 | Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 |
| MCDI vocabulary checklist | FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect |
30 months | Healthy Steps sample | 219 children | Mean = 54.40 | Mean = 52.30 | Mean difference = 4.08 | Not available | Statistically significant, p < 0.05 |
| MCDI word length of child’s 3 longest phrases | FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect |
30 months | Healthy Steps sample | 219 children | Mean = 4.29 | Mean = 4.57 | Mean difference = -0.22 | Not available | Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 |
| Child Behavior Checklist: Aggressive behavior subscale | FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect |
30 months | Healthy Steps sample | 239 children | Mean = 8.01 | Mean = 7.46 | Mean difference = 0.54 | Not available | Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 |
| Child Behavior Checklist: Anxious or depressed mood subscale | FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect |
30 months | Healthy Steps sample | 239 children | Mean = 4.12 | Mean = 3.71 | Mean difference = 0.40 | Not available | Statistically significant, p < 0.05 |
| Child Behavior Checklist: Sleep problems subscale | FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect |
30 months | Healthy Steps sample | 239 children | Mean = 3.35 | Mean = 2.88 | Mean difference = 0.39 | Not available | Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 |
Show outcome measure summary
| Outcome measure | Outcome measure description | Collection method | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
CBCL: Anxious or depressed mood subscale |
The CBCL is a questionnaire that assesses behavioral problems in young children. The researchers used three subscales, which used aggressive behavior (15 items with a subscale score range of 0 to 30), sleep problems (7 items with a subscale score range of 0 to 14), and symptoms related to an anxious or depressed mood (11 items with a subscale score range of 0 to 22). |
Parent/caregiver report |
Cronbach’s α = 0.68 |
CDI word length of child’s three longest phrases |
The CDI assesses language development in young children. A questionnaire that included elements of the short and long forms of the CDI evaluated single-word expressive vocabulary, word combining (two words or more), use of three or more word endings, and mean length (in morphemes) of the child’s three longest phrases. |
Parent/caregiver report |
Not reported by author |
CDI use of two-word endings (three or more versus less than three) |
The CDI assesses language development in young children. A questionnaire that included elements of the short and long forms of the CDI evaluated single-word expressive vocabulary, word combining (two words or more), use of three or more word endings, and mean length (in morphemes) of the child’s three longest phrases. |
Parent/caregiver report |
Not reported by author |
CDI vocabulary checklist |
The CDI assesses language development in young children. A questionnaire that included elements of the short and long forms of the CDI evaluated single-word expressive vocabulary, word combining (two words or more), use of three or more word endings, and mean length (in morphemes) of the child’s three longest phrases. |
Parent/caregiver report |
Not reported by author |
MacArthur CDI combines two or more words (sometimes/often versus not yet) |
The CDI assesses language development in young children. A questionnaire that included elements of the short and long forms of the CDI evaluated single-word expressive vocabulary, word combining (two words or more), use of three or more word endings, and mean length (in morphemes) of the child’s three longest phrases. |
Parent/caregiver report |
Not reported by author |
Findings rated moderate
Show findings details
| Outcome measure | Effect | Follow-up timing | Sample | Sample size | Intervention group | Comparison group | Group difference | Effect size | Statistical significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attachment Q-sort scale | FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect |
16-18 mo. | 2 of the 6 RCT national evaluation sites | 378 children | Mean = 0.37 | Mean = 0.36 | Mean difference = 0.01 | Not available | Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 |
Show outcome measure summary
| Outcome measure | Outcome measure description | Collection method | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
Attachment Q-Sort scale |
The Attachment Q-Sort assesses security of attachment and dependency in young children. Each of the 90 items is a description of a specific behavior. Items are sorted by the mother/caregiver into nine piles of 10 cards each based on how likely or unlikely the item matches the behavior of her child. | Parent/caregiver report with the assistance of a trained interviewer | Not reported by author |
Show findings details
| Outcome measure | Effect | Follow-up timing | Sample | Sample size | Intervention group | Comparison group | Group difference | Effect size | Statistical significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical or borderline concern about child behavior | FavorableUnfavorable or ambiguousNo Effect |
5.5 years | The 6 RCT national evaluation sites | 1308 children | Mean = 0.20 | Mean = 0.17 | OR = 1.26 | HomeVEE calculated = 0.14 | Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 |
Show outcome measure summary
| Outcome measure | Outcome measure description | Collection method | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
CBCL: Clinical or borderline concern about child behavior |
The CBCL is a questionnaire that assesses behavioral problems in young children. | Parent/caregiver report | Not reported by author |